Draft Dodging and My Take on NS

World-famous pianist + NS = S$3000 dollar fine + lots of angry people.

This was rather clearly demonstrated in the rather well-publicised Melvyn Tan draft dodging case.

Melvyn Tan, a Singapore-born pianist-turned British Citizen, skipped National Service to study music overseas. In exchange, he was fined S$3000 by the Singapore government. Of course, it caused public outcry. After all, what is a measly three grand to someone who would probably make hundreds and hundreds of them a year?

People also complained that the government was equating two years of, um, utter unenjoyableness to three thousand dollars. I sympathise with them. Three thousand dollars is a rather pathetic amount of money for the sheer effort invested in those two years.

However, before we start criticising, do take into consideration that the Singapore Government is truly at a dilemma here.

While I hardly doubt Singapore's need for an army, because of reasons such as etc. etc. etc. which have been drilled into the brains of every Singaporean, and have resorted to conscription because of etc. etc. etc., I do not think that having an army comprised of undermotivated (and quite possibly government-hating) people are odds in Singapore's favour. Even granted that the government-hating group are a small minority, because of the fact that the Singapore Government has done many things including [insert numerous examples here] for the benefit of Singaporeans, this still leaves a rather large 'undermotivated' fraction of people.

After all, how many would want to subject themselves to such training after living in relative comfort for a whole seventeen years? I would hazard a guess at 'not many'.

Conscription would provide Singapore with an army, albeit an unhappy one, and this general unhappiness is what leads draft dodgers to, um, dodge drafts.

Returning back to Melvyn Tan, we see the blatantly obvious way to satisfy the unhappy masses, and to reduce incidences of draft dodging, i.e. by making the fines higher. Ideally, by raising penalties, this would deter people from defecting because of the costs involved, and that the higher penalties would convince citizens to take National Service more seriously, and recognize that it is crucial to
Singapore's survival. Unfortunately, it could quite possibly stir up even more resentment towards the government, meaning that although draft dodging cases are likely to drop, even more people in the army would be unsatisfied, as NS would be seen as more of a obligation forced on the citizen.

What I am trying to say here is that dodging is not the main problem. Draft dodging problems may be alleviated by increasing fines, but this does not mean that the situation is any better, and in fact could possibly be worse than before. What that government needs to do is to impress a good image on Singapore's youth of National Service.

Get 'em while they're hot. Or in this case 'young' or 'impressionable' would be more appropriate.

In this regard, probably the most successful thing that has been done so far is the National Cadets Corps. While I myself am hardly a fan of uniform groups, as I dislike their regimentation, I have to admit it appears to be pretty successful. I have seen students who, prior to joining the NCC, had not displayed much interest in the army, but now are attempting to spin whatever object they have on hand like a rifle. I even know of one person who attempted it with his handphone, which ended up in the ceiling fan, and yes, he still has not stopped even after that event. (Surprisingly, his handphone was still functional after the incident.)

Apart from that what else can be done?

Advertisements, of course. And films and books and various other media types.

By advertisements, of course, I do not mean the strange daydream world of the random office worker in his cubicle, who is suddenly awoken by a phonecall.

What is needed is something which promotes the army as something that is ultimately good for everyone involved.

I mean, seriously, flying potted plant dive bombers? Printer cannons? Guided water dispenser missiles? Creative at best.

I hardly think anyone is going to buy into that.

The government could also move beyond advertising, into things like films. Take the Army Daze film for example. I am not saying that it is something that actually intentionally promotes National Service; it is a satire, of course. But its has several points worth noting, like the emphasis placed on camaraderie and the like, while at the same time, admitting to the flaws of NS, albeit in a humorous manner. This would help to lighten the picture of NS and make it more appealing. Not admitting to its various faults would simply convey the message that the government is unware of the citizens' opinions.

Finally, I would like to clarify that I am not suggesting total indoctrination. I just think that National Service should be made to come across as more appealing to the average citizen.

My bonsais are getting restless; I have to go check on them before they try to attack someone.